Vector Transmitted Zoonotic Diseases Flashcards
What is the causitive agent of plague - type of pathogen and species name
G- bacterium, Y. pestis
What are the three different types of plague? Describe each: general symptoms, mode of transmission, is it transmissible to humans
- bubonic plague: at least one swollen and painful lymph node (buboes), from infected flea bite
- septicemic plague: skin and other tissues may turn black and die, from bites of infected fleas, handling an infected animal, may develop for untreated bubonic plague
- pneumonic plague: rapidly developing pneumonia, from inhaling infectious droplets, or from untreated bubonic or septicemic plague, most serious form of the disease, can be spread from person to person
Describe the transmission cycle of plague
- sylvatic cycle: infected flea –> infects rodent –> flea or rodent transmits to domestic rodents or humans
- urban cycle: infected flea –> domestic rodent –> flea or rodent transmits to humans
- bubonic plague can develop to pneumonic plague –> transmits humans to humans
Where are plague cases in the US located? What’s the common mode of transmission to humans?
- SW USA
- fleas on dogs, infected rodents
What form of plague was most prevelant in the Madagascar outbreak? Where were the majority of cases?
- primarly pneumonic plague
- most cases were concentrated in the capital city and the main seaport
What was the first recorded mass outbreak of the plague? Where was it?
Justinian plague - Constaniople and Europe
What plague epidemic resulted in massive change to European social structure?
The black death
Where was the last plague epidemic? Describe a societal issue that occured because of this
- China –> India –> San Fransico
- chinese and indian people in San Fransico were discrimated against because of this
What treatments were used during The Black Death?
- bathing in human urine
- use of leeches
- drinking molten gold/powedered emeralds
- chopping up a snake everyday
- not sleeping during the day
Although the plague doctor gown was probably entirely useless, describe two components that might have helped reduce transmission of plague
- beak has flowers - freshness thought to eliminate bad air –> might have filtered the air
- long gown - help prevent flea or rodent bites
What are the current methods of treatment of plague?
- doxycycline, streptomycin, gentamicin, or ciprofloxacin
- supportive therapy - oxygen, fluids, and respiratory support
- patients with pneumonic plague should be strictly isolated
Describe how we prevent plague
- control of rodents and vectors: insectidices + rodenticides, focus on flea control duirng outbreaks
- vaccine available
- education
Where is the majority of malaria cases concentrated?
Africa, especially children <5yrs
What are the different malaria species? Briefly describe each
*Plasmodium vivax, falicparum, malariae, knowlesi, simlum
- vivax, falicparum, and malariae are the three main ones
- malriae likely emerged from gorillas
- knowlesi likely emerged from macaques
- simulium causes malaria in south america
What is the vector that transmits malaria (include genera name)
mosquitoes - Anopheles
What drugs are used to treat malaria?
- artemisinin - some resistance –> combination therapy
- chloroquine
- primaquine
Why does malaria attack the liver?
sporozoiotes bind to sulphur proteins, such as CSP. The liver has an abundance of sulphur molecules
Why does the recombinant malaria vaccine have HepBsAg?
malaria proteins themselves are not very immunogenic - HepBsAg helps create a T cell response